378 THE BEST OF THE FUN 



occupation on the spot as may induce men to forego 

 costly pilgrimages to hunting-grounds at a distance, it has 

 been found desirable by each cavalry regiment taking its 

 turn at Ballincollig, there to maintain a pack of foxhounds. 

 At present no Government grant is forthcoming, nor has 

 even been applied for. The establishment is therefore 

 necessarily a very modest one. Huntsman and whippers- 

 in are officers of the regiment, and of course find their 

 own horses, while the residents of the country take charge 

 of the foxes and poultry grievances. Thus is the old Mus- 

 kerry Hunt kept alive ; and the officers of corps, in which 

 the British Public consider they hold a directly vested 

 interest, are probably saved to the State. For Ballincollig, 

 without hounds and without polo (neither of which exer- 

 cises, I believe, have their proper place in the red-book of 

 the present day) would — how shall I venture to express 

 it ? — well, would be found more conducive to rapid 

 promotion than the well-being of a regiment in any way 

 requires. 



The loth Hussars took over during the current 

 summer a capital pack from the 13th, and these they 

 supplemented with a draft from the Duke of Buccleuch's. 

 The young hounds have entered well, and are of excellent 

 pattern. Indeed, limited as was the experience of last 

 week, it was enough to tell one that the hounds are keen, 

 sufficiently musical, and very fit to go. Lord William 

 Cavendish-Bentinck hunts them, and Mr. Reginald Chaplin 

 whips in to him ; and their kennel huntsman is Brooks, 

 formerly with Mr. Walter Greene's staghounds. 



By the way, if anything or anybody will avail to bring 

 you up to time on a hunting morning it is the summons 

 of a soldier-servant. At lirst stroke of the clock his regu- 

 lation boots sound his coming along the uncarpeted pas- 

 sage ; at the last stroke his martial knock proclaims 

 deliberately and sternly upon the panels that your hour 

 has come. He wastes no words, he employs no suasion 

 to enforce the call of duty, but with heavy hand and 

 with ponderous footfall he takes your hot water to its 

 place, and throws light upon the room ; then, facing your 

 dazzled eyes and half-aroused faculties, draws himself 



